Kern Reprimand

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma House has voted to reprimand a lawmaker who denigrated blacks and women during debate last week.

House members took the action Monday on a 76-16 vote against Rep. Sally Kern after she apologized.

Fighting back tears, Kern said her "poor choice of words were hurtful and offensive to many." The Oklahoma City Republican says she asked House Speaker Kris Steele for the opportunity to apologize on the House floor.

During debate last week over a proposal to end affirmative action in Oklahoma, Kern questioned whether there were disproportionately high numbers of blacks in state prisons because "they didn't want to work hard in school."

Kern also said women don't work as hard as men because they "tend to think a little bit more about their families."